Japanese symbol for “boss”

上司

じょうし

Romaji: joushi

(one's) superior; (one's) boss; the higher-ups

In Japanese, boss is 上司, read じょうし (joushi).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

n (one's) superior; (one's) boss; the higher-ups

Kanji and stroke order

上

above, up

on: ジョウ、ショウ、シャン
kun: うえ、-うえ、うわ-、かみ

3 strokes · JLPT 4

司

director, official, govt office

on: シ
kun: つかさど.る

5 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “boss”

Word	Reading	Meaning
組長	くみちょう kumichou	boss (esp. yakuza); foreman
親分	おやぶん oyabun	boss; leader; kingpin
ボス	ボス bosu	boss; leader; head
親方	おやかた oyakata	master; boss; chief
大統領	だいとうりょう daitouryou	big man; boss; buddy

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
以上	いじょう ijou	not less than ...; ... and over; ... and above
売り上げ	うりあげ uriage	amount sold; sales; proceeds
上昇	じょうしょう joushou	rising; ascending; climbing
向上	こうじょう koujou	elevation; rise; improvement
地上	ちじょう chijou	above ground; on the ground; earth's surface
司法	しほう shihou	administration of justice; judicature
司会	しかい shikai	leading a meeting; presiding over a meeting; officiating at a ceremony
寿司	すし sushi	sushi; range of dishes made with vinegared rice combined with fish, vegetables, egg, etc.

See also: Chinese symbol for “boss”.

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.